Degree Requirements

Required Courses                                                                             

Theory Courses (3 courses/9 credits)

Theory and History of Community Development

Legal and Regulatory Environment of Community Development

Planning, Markets, and Community Development

The team-taught theory courses are proseminars intended to provide a common grounding in community development. The Theory and History of Community Development course will be led by a professor from the Department of Public Policy and Administration, Legal and Regulatory Environment by a law professor, and Planning and Markets by a business professor. In each case a second professor from another discipline will support the lead professor.

        Methods Courses (5 courses/15 credits)

Logic of Social Inquiry

Quantitative Analysis

Dissertation Development

Two research electives (Survey Research, Qualitative Methods, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Ethnographic Analysis, etc.)

The program has rigorous methods requirements that include theoretical/foundational courses as well as electives to allow students to develop specific research skills useful to his or her doctoral research and career, further building quantitative research skills, or a specific expertise such as GIS.

        Content Courses (4 courses/12 credits). Courses will be based around the following themes:

International and Comparative Community Development

Regional and Economic Development

Civic Engagement, Nonprofits, and Community Development

Practicum in Community Development

The content courses further ground students in community development. Courses provide an exploration of the similarities and contrasts between community development domestically and internationally, regional and economic development issues, and civic engagement.

Elective Courses (4 courses/12 credits)

1 law course from an approved list

1 business school course from an approved list

Any 2 additional graduate courses selected from law, business, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)-Camden (including public policy and administration)

Elective courses are drawn from the three areas (graduate FAS, law, and graduate business) to further strengthen the interdisciplinary nature of the program, as well as allow students to tailor their coursework to develop specific areas of expertise within community development/public affairs. Within the electives, students will be required to take a minimum of one course each in law and business.

Dissertation (15 credits)

Dissertation committees will consist of a minimum of three members: at least one faculty member from the Department of Public Policy and Administration and at least one from the law or business school. The presence of law and business faculty on dissertation committees contributes not only to the program's interdisciplinary aspect but also achieves full engagement of each of the schools.